with the lack of power for the last 24 hours i really started wondering what else i would do with my life instead of programming games.

I think id work in a body shop, or a mechanic of some kind. I really love tinkering with stuff (c++ mostly;)) but i think cars comes in second place.

anyone?

I have several choices... most likely I'd be in electronics. Or some other science - physics, astronomy. I also write short stories, so I might end up being a writer. Or an actor - I like acting and I took some acting classes.

Nothing repetitive or mechanic. I need space to be creative. That's what I do, that's what I enjoy. I need problems to solve. I need challenges.

If I couldn't make games, I'd either become a fiction writer (I have pretty good writing ability) or a film director. Actually, directing movies might be something I will go after once I get bored with making games. :) Don't know when that will happen, but I tend to get bored VERY easily. I could not stay focused (for the whole duration) in ANY class I ever took in college (most classes I could be focused for 30-40 minutes at most). That's actually one major reason I'm into game programming -- I haven't found any programming to be more challenging and fun, and thus not boring. :)

I know what I would do: agriculture work :P
I have a dream, start to do viticulture (cultivate wine).
If things with indie dev goes well, I'll buy a farm and start this wine business.
Of course I'll send some to you ;) hehe

I would do what my dayjob already is :) system/network manager and some database developing. I also prepare an education for private investigator.

Archaeology or Art (Possibly cartoon art)

Love em both. :)

Graphic designer. It's what I originally studied at college before I became a true game addict. I still enjoy tinkering with Photoshop.

WWE Wrestler! I'd be baddd.

I've often thought I might like to build custom furniture for a living because I enjoy it as a hobby. Another possibility would be working with my wife in her cut-flower business.

Naturally, I would be a fabulous rock star.

Oh, who am I kidding...I'd probably end up as a truck-stop waitress. More coffee, ya'll?

Sparky
http://www.theycamefromhollywood.com

I might end up to be a lawyer - altough me too have thought about writing books that suck :)

writer or NLP researcher

I would probably be writing fiction.

Before quitting to start my game company, I had built a nice career at web development working on mostly backend systems with Java. So I'd probably still be doing that, in absence of another dream job. In college I loved writing and wanted to do that for a living, fiction and non-fiction. Turns out that takes a lot of effort and drive and working with computers was sapping all my time. If I didn't have game development I might be pursuing writing right now.

I feel like I'm on Inside the Actor's Studio with James Lipton. What's your favorite word? If heaven exists, what would you like God to say at the pearly gates? I wonder if we could get Bernard Pivot to write some questions just for game developers. What is your favorite game? What gameplay turns you on? Which game character do you associate most with?

I'd be a high school teacher. I've always wanted to teach Math or Computers.. but I also like programming, and we all know which pays better.

I love how most people's responses involve building in one form or another. We are all the creator type :) I would be happy doing many of things listed here, but I'm really partial to outdoors work. It would not be a truly alternate career if it involved any heavy computer use. I can picture myself working on cars or gardening or interior design or wood working or making movies or anything with building, leadership, and creative elements. Heck, put me in charge of creating new Lego models, as long as I have building blocks of one sort or another I'm happy.

Originally posted by elund
I feel like I'm on Inside the Actor's Studio with James Lipton. What's your favorite word? If heaven exists, what would you like God to say at the pearly gates? I wonder if we could get Bernard Pivot to write some questions just for game developers. What is your favorite game? What gameplay turns you on? Which game character do you associate most with?

:D You already have a nice working set there Eric. You could make a cross between Bernards questions and a purity test. A sure-fire hit ..

I'd choose one of novelist, journalist, or cartoonist, which are three things I can already do but no longer have the time for.

Actually when I was 20 I made a vow to myself to ditch computers @ 40 and become a writer. 10 years left to make my fortune...

Cas :)

bahahahahah I'm doing just that in the end of the year :)

gonna quit my game dev job, go back to my parents house for a while, and focus myself on writing (along a degree in portuguese and english) and full contact practise.In 2-3 years I want to be in the top 3 portuguese full contact fighters in my division. And write historical fiction, stories, loads of them, and then try to compile them as a book and try to publish it.

Originally posted by Akura
bahahahahah I'm doing just that in the end of the year :)

gonna quit my game dev job, go back to my parents house for a while, and focus myself on writing (along a degree in portuguese and english) and full contact practise.In 2-3 years I want to be in the top 3 portuguese full contact fighters in my division. And write historical fiction, stories, loads of them, and then try to compile them as a book and try to publish it.

Are you also interested in K1 fighting? I did a couple years ago full contact fighting Karate. I enjoyed it very much. I am still doing some fight techniques at home. The guys like Ernest Hoost are earning $$$ gold in Japan !

I did karate for 6 years a while ago, didn't found it suited me.... found it a bit innefective for what I wanted (note, not attacking the art, just didn't do it for me). I currently do Kung Fu and Kick Boxing, thou I do fight full contact using hybrid, mostly kung fu in open full contact tournaments. This is actually very fun since I can see how 97% of the kick boxers don't really know hot to fight with someone that is not taller than their thighs (sp?) (monkey stance) so they can hardly punch and make so many stupid stupid mistakes it isn't even funny. In the next year i'm signing up for some vale-tudo/pankration fights tho.

Yeah, fighting is cool :)